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Highlights
Embark on a cultural and pastoral exploration by bike through North Holland
Cycle an unforgettable loop, beginning and ending in Amsterdam, taking in the highlights of North Holland.
Cruise North Holland’s graceful countryside, riding alongside fragrant tulip fields, giant wooden clogs, and ancient canals.
Visit unique neighbourhoods like Amsterdam’s Canal District and Volendam’s Zaanse Schans.
Explore historic Haarlem, taking in its quaint traditional houses and fascinating museums.
Experience the best of North Holland on this enthralling 6-day self-guided cycling tour beginning and ending in Amsterdam.
The Cycling the Best of Holland Tour combines easy, short cycling routes featuring iconic cities and towns, inviting you to experience as much on foot as by bike. Beginning and ending in the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam, you’ll get an authentic taste for the vibrant city with ample time to explore its unique districts and historic sites. Setting out on two wheels, you’ll ride in the serene countryside of the Zuid-Kennemerland region, where you’ll trade the buzzing streets of Amsterdam for quiet country lanes, lined with sparkling lakes and green fields. After an afternoon and morning spent exploring historic Haarlem, you’ll continue along the banks of the River Zaam to Zaandam, where you’ll enjoy perusing historic neighbourhoods like Zaanse Schans and can even try your hand at cheese-making. Before returning to Amsterdam, you’ll enjoy a night in Volendam, a charming Dutch village famous for its colourful wooden houses and picturesque harbour.
Finally, after several exciting days of exploring North Holland, you’ll return to Amsterdam to enjoy some further sightseeing in the capital before your tour ends.
Accommodations on this tour have been hand-picked for optimal comfort and accessibility to the towns and cities explored. You’ll enjoy daily breakfast, with the option to upgrade to half-board (breakfast and dinner).
Get the best of both worlds on the Cycling the Best of Holland Tour, where you’ll explore the highlights by bike and on foot.
Experience the best of North Holland on this enthralling 6-day self-guided cycling tour beginning and ending in Amsterdam.
The Cycling the Best of Holland Tour combines easy, short cycling routes featuring iconic cities and towns, inviting you to experience as much on foot as by bike. Beginning and ending in the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam, you’ll get an authentic taste for the vibrant city with ample time to explore its unique districts and historic sites. Setting out on two wheels, you’ll ride in the serene countryside of the Zuid-Kennemerland region, where you’ll trade the buzzing streets of Amsterdam for quiet country lanes, lined with sparkling lakes and green fields. After an afternoon and morning spent exploring historic Haarlem, you’ll continue along the banks of the River Zaam to Zaandam, where you’ll enjoy perusing historic neighbourhoods like Zaanse Schans and can even try your hand at cheese-making. Before returning to Amsterdam, you’ll enjoy a night in Volendam, a charming Dutch village famous for its colourful wooden houses and picturesque harbour.
Finally, after several exciting days of exploring North Holland, you’ll return to Amsterdam to enjoy some further sightseeing in the capital before your tour ends.
Accommodations on this tour have been hand-picked for optimal comfort and accessibility to the towns and cities explored. You’ll enjoy daily breakfast, with the option to upgrade to half-board (breakfast and dinner).
Get the best of both worlds on the Cycling the Best of Holland Tour, where you’ll explore the highlights by bike and on foot.
Read more
Cycling the Best of Holland Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive
Amsterdam is a city worth arriving early to spend time exploring its fascinating districts and sites. Your tour begins in the vibrant capital, a world of exquisite art and architecture with endless highlights and hidden corners to explore.
Check into your hotel, then head out on a walk to get a feel for the remarkable city. For a taste of the high-life, stroll the glitzy Oud-Zuid district, or admire some historical architecture in the canal district, an entire area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight Location: Hotel Amsterdam
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Explore Amsterdam and Ride the Countryside to Haarlem
Rise ready to take on another exciting morning exploring the capital. Check out one of the city’s several museums this morning, or find a balmy spot at the Rembrandtplein, soaking up the unique vibes of one of the city’s major squares in central Amsterdam.
This afternoon, you’ll hop on your bikes, leaving the urban buzz behind as you pedal your way through the peaceful rural landscapes of Zuid-Kennemerland, making your way to Haarlem. Arrive at your hotel in Haarlem, then stroll to take in the historic city. You’ll discover a charming town, connected by elegant courtyards, known as “hofjes.”
If taking this tour in April and early May, the option of extending today’s route to visit the tulip fields is highly recommended.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Haarlem
Distance: 29km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Cycle the Spaarne Riverbanks to Zaandam
Steal a few last moments to explore Haarlem this morning if you haven’t done so already. The Frans Hals museum, which houses exquisite paintings from the Golden Age, is well worth a visit.
At midday, you’ll return to your wheels to trace the pretty banks of the River Spaarne, bound for the charming village of Spaarndam and the Ijdijk (dike). Take in the quaint old houses here as well as the Kolksluis, claimed by some to be the oldest lock in the world.
Back on your bike, you’ll continue through the Zaan region, pedalling alongside rows of typical wooden houses painted green with white lace curtains on display in each window. Once in Zaandam, known for its famous windmills, head to the famous Zaanse Schans neighbourhood, where you’ll uncover a historical world of wooden houses, barns, windmills, and workshops. Learn to make wooden shoes or Dutch cheese from the masters themselves, then sit down for a well-deserved typical pancake to top off a magical day.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Zaandam
Distance: 34km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Cycle Twiske Park and Volendam via Monnickendam
The enchantment continues today with another marvellous day of riding and exploring on foot. First up is the Het Twiske Park, where visitors and locals alike flock on hot summer days for a refreshing dip in the lake.
Then, ride through pretty woods, alongside meadows and sparkling lakes to Monnickendam. Continue towards Volendam, where today’s ride concludes at the town’s lively fishing port. Peruse the gift shops here, then post up at one of the cute cafes overlooking the water.
Get a good night’s rest after a lovely evening in Volendam, as tomorrow’s final ride to Amsterdam is on the horizon.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Volendam
Distance: 34km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Complete Cycling Loop
Before leaving Volendam this morning, head to the old quarter with its quaint red-brick homes. Here you’ll find Volendam’s Museum, which is worth checking out. The museum showcases the community’s fascinating history, folklore, and culture.
Your final ride unfolds on the isle of Marken as you return to Amsterdam to complete the loop. You’ll arrive with plenty of time to continue your sightseeing adventure from Day 2. Soak up the unique charm of this alluring city and enjoy a farewell dinner this evening, toasting to a magical five days spent exploring North Holland.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Amsterdam
Distance: 36km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Depart
This morning, your tour comes to an end. Enjoy one final breakfast and then check out to depart.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2025 Departures The departures are available daily (with some exceptions), from April 1st to September 25th .
- Single room: from EUR1075*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR688*
Accommodation on the Cycling the Best of Holland Tour
This tour is based on hotels. Hotels on this tour are 3-star and 4-star and offer either basic or modern amenities to ensure you have a pleasant and comfortable stay. Accommodations are well-located and offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Cycling the Best of Holland Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 4 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Amsterdam are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour. Your bike rental and airport transfers are not included but can be booked in advance as a supplement.
Also Included
- Detailed route notes and maps
- Tourist information on all places of interest
- Tourist city tax
- Phone service hotline (including weekends)
- Luggage transfer
Not included
- Bike rental and GPS
- Guide services
- Flights to and from Amsterdam
- Ferry tickets
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Bike rental
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Additional services and biking equipment rental
- Airport transfers
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- How hard is the Cycling the Best of Holland Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need a visa to travel to the Netherlands?
- Are meals included on the Cycling the Best of Holland Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Amsterdam to start this tour?
- Where does the Cycling the Best of Holland Tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Child bike: 50 EUR
- Hybrid bike: 60 EUR
- Premium bike: 100 EUR
- E-Bike: 125 EUR
- Child seat: 25 EUR
- Bike theft insurance: 15 EUR
- E-bike/premium bike theft insurance: 30 EUR
- Child trailer: 87.50 EUR
- Helmet: 10 EUR
- GPS: 20 EUR
- What equipment does bike rental include?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to the Netherlands?
- Are there any travel restrictions for the Netherlands?
- When is the best time to travel to Netherlands for this tour?
We rate this tour a 1 / 5. The tour is designed with short rides to allow plenty of time for exploring the cities visited. You should be comfortable cycling for distances up to 36 kilometres a day on mostly flat terrain.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills, and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
5 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). You can reach the city center by train, which takes approximately 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
The tour ends in Amsterdam. You can reach the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) by train, which takes approximately 15 minutes from the city center. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to the airport as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Bikes available are 21-gear hybrid bikes, 27-gear premium touring bikes, race bikes, tandem bikes, or e-Bikes.
Bike rental includes a chain lock, a saddlebag, and a repair kit.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to North Holland for this cycling tour is mid-April to October, when the weather is at its best. July and August see the greatest number of tourists. This tour is available from April to September, allowing you the option to travel during the spring, summer, or early fall.
Customer Ratings
Operating since 2017, Dutch Biketours knows how to immerse travellers in Dutch life–best done on a bike, of course! Their experienced staff can lead your trip planning, or they can take your ideas and tailor a custom itinerary that reveals the charm of the Netherlands.
